I've been a mild fan for a long time of Target's in-store marketing; it's usually crisp and simple, and does what it needs to do with a minimum of fuss. Haven't been fond of the new "Up and Out" or "In and Forward" or "Onward and Therefore" generic line - the rounded arrow looks very 70s, and it has neither the stylish flair of Archer Farms or the blunt generic "Yes, you're broke, but this is good stuff" message of Market Pantry. (As it happens, the Archer Farms brand is starting to look a bit creaky, while the Market Pantry brand has legs, probably because it isn't tied to a distinctive typeface.)

They've usually done their best work at Halloween. For some reason this brings out the best in their designs, or the houses they contract to design the campaign. It's always playful and genially spooky. The store displays are usually amusing as well - mounds of plastic pumpkins, statues that screech at the touch of a button, all watched over by big signs tied together by a simple theme. Things went a bit awry last year with Domo-kun, a character who didn't really seem to fit. This year is a disaster.

Batty for savings? Really? BATTY FOR SAVINGS?

The word "Sweet" should not appear twice in a Halloween display. This isn't My Little Pony time. Okay. We're in a recession; this I get. Believe me. But kids want Halloween to be fun-spooky, not Value Conscious; using price as the dominant message is like selling Christmas by hanging big rebate coupons in the fake-tree aisle. TIS THE SEASON TO GET 15% BACK WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE.

I defy anyone to tell me what this is.

It's a line of creature-shaped candies, but even when you see it straight on it's hard to read. Good. Lord. Many years ago the campaign was "Friday the 31st," and it was a beaut. Local house CSA did the ads; compare and contrast.